No dropout as Murang'a school mentorship programme records 100% success

A mentorship programme targeting girls in a Murang’a school has recorded a 100 per cent retention rate after all 63 beneficiaries completed their four years of secondary education without any dropout.

, a milestone organisers attribute to holistic support.

The students from Kaganda secondary school graduated from the Binti Shupavu mentorship programme on Saturday, becoming the initiative's first cohort since it was launched in 2023 when they joined Form 1.

It was implemented by the Centre for Women Empowerment and Technology (CWE-TECH) in partnership with US-based Daring Girls and Tanzania's GALS Livelihood and Mentorship Programme (GLAMI).

The programme seeks to address barriers that prevent girls from completing their secondary education while nurturing confidence, discipline and leadership skills.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, CWE-TECH co-founder and CEO Judy Makira said the programme had exceeded expectations by ensuring every enrolled girl remained in school throughout the four-year period.

"We have graduated 63 girls and we are so proud because for the four years none of the girls dropped out of school. Before the programme, you would have six, seven or even 10 girls leaving school due to early pregnancies, parental conflict and other challenges, but these girls have overcome those obstacles," Makira said.

Across Kenya, girls continue to face challenges that interrupt their education, including teenage pregnancy, child marriage, poverty, menstrual health challenges, gender-based violence and family-related difficulties.

The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, shows 15 per cent of girls aged between 15 and 19 have begun childbearing, with teenage pregnancy remaining one of the leading contributors to school dropout among girls.

Makira said the Binti Shupavu curriculum was adapted to reflect the realities facing girls in Murang'a county while equipping them with practical life skills and resilience to navigate everyday challenges.

She said every participant was paired with a mentor who met them weekly from Form 1 through to Form 4, creating a trusted relationship that complemented the guidance offered by parents and teachers.

"The mentors become like big sisters. They walk the journey with the girls, mentor them and give them someone they can freely talk to. That consistent support has made a very big difference," she said.

The programme also supports girls' menstrual health through a sanitary pad bank in the school, allowing learners to discreetly access sanitary towels from the guidance and counselling department whenever the need arises.

Makira said the transformation among the girls had been evident over the four years, with many who joined the programme shy and withdrawn now confidently addressing large audiences.

"When they started, they were timid and could hardly stand before a crowd. Today they are bold and courageous, just like the name of the programme, Binti Shupavu, which means courageous daughters," she said.

The graduates will now form the programme's first alumni network through which they will continue receiving career mentorship, networking opportunities and guidance as they transition to higher education and professional life.

Makira said the organisation hopes to expand the programme to other areas through partnerships with organisations willing to adopt and contextualise the mentorship model for their own communities.

She said although the mentorship curriculum is standardised, it can be adapted to suit the unique challenges facing girls in different regions, enabling more learners to benefit from the initiative.

"Having no dropout is impact enough. It shows the programme is working. We are ready to work with partners across the country so that more girls can benefit from this mentorship and realise their full potential," she said.

Makira said the long-term goal is to nurture disciplined, courageous and confident young women who will become future leaders in various sectors, including education, healthcare, business and public service.